In celebration of his 20 years with Grupo Hermosillo, we interviewed Enrique García, Control Manager. He is a dedicated professional who has made significant contributions and has experienced notable personal growth within the company. In this conversation, we explore his experiences, achievements, opinions, the evolution of the Group, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.
1. Firstly, we congratulate you on your 20 years with Grupo Hermosillo. What does this significant milestone mean to you?
Thank you very much. I truly appreciate Grupo Hermosillo for the opportunity they gave me 20 years ago. I also appreciate my family, who has been a great support and motivator all these years, my coworkers, mentors, and even our suppliers because they all have been part of my development. It’s a great pride to contribute to the company’s development over all these years. It’s very satisfying to see how many of us, including myself, have grown both professionally and personally.
2. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement during your career with the company?
From a qualitative perspective, my greatest achievement and satisfaction has been establishing a bond of trust with my colleagues, regardless of their area or department. I value their trust in me to approach them with any important issue and help resolve or escalate it.
From a quantitative perspective, my greatest achievement has been developing a reliable, dynamic Control department that is adaptable to changes over the years. We have been involved in various projects, such as implementing SAP, the Debt Management Platform, and several interfaces facilitating management and administration. However, this was only possible with the right team and people.
3. How do you ensure financial decisions align with the company’s strategic objectives?
Over these years, we have faced changes in administration, crises, and even a pandemic, where decisions regarding financial strategy have been crucial for the construction company and the Group to cope with the contingencies that these events bring.
As the Control department, we are responsible for executing the strategies defined by the General Management, whether in policies or emergency plans. We know that the reality of the construction site requires us to make day-to-day decisions. Still, as part of the Administration and Finance Department, we strive to adhere to the policies and plans dictated by the General Management.
4. How do you handle challenges or conflicts that arise during projects?
Personally, I strongly believe in communication and good interpersonal relationships. During my first 12 to 14 years in the company, I traveled extensively to visit construction sites and established a good rapport with colleagues, which, I believe, has facilitated conflict resolution. It’s important to be aware that achieving a ‘win-win’ outcome in any conflict resolution is crucial for fostering trust on both sides.
5. How have you seen the company’s growth and development over the years?
In my 20 years of experience, I started at the headquarters in Mexicali. At that time, we only had the office on Madero Street, a relatively small office in Tijuana, and we were in the process of opening one in Monterrey, with an average of 15 to 20 projects annually. The management was already beginning to envision potential growth. Twenty years later, with great pride, I can say that we are part of a strong Group capable of handling between 40 and 50 projects, ranging from small to large. This has been possible thanks to our personnel, processes, well-developed financial resources, and systems.
6. What skills and characteristics do you think are important for success in the design and construction industry?
In my experience, the key to succeeding as a company in this industry is establishing a clear mission and working to sustain it in the medium and long term. Short-term achievements are significant and contribute to solidifying the vision, skills, and financial resources, which are only some of them.
Upholding a code of values within and outside the company is also crucial to building trust among employees and clients.
On an individual level, in addition to possessing knowledge, skills, and abilities, it’s essential to be open to change and innovation, given the demanding nature of this sector.
7. What advice would you give to someone interested in working in the design and construction industry?
I recommend that they prepare themselves and consistently seek to update their knowledge. Tools and construction processes are constantly evolving in the design and construction industry. The advent of artificial intelligence, if utilized properly, can provide a significant competitive advantage.
